When a Leader Dies the World Turns Backward

Rabbi Yudan and Rabbi Huna, both in the name of Rabbi Yose ben Zimra. Rabbi Yudan said: wherever "after" (acharei) is stated it means close at hand; "after" (achar) means far off. And Rabbi Huna said: wherever "after" (achar) is stated it means close at hand; "after" (acharei) means far off. Rabbi Simon said: wherever it says "And it came to pass after the death" the world turned backward. "And it came to pass after the death of Abraham"—immediately "and all the wells which they had dug" (were stopped). "And it came to pass after the death of Moses"—immediately the well ceased, and the manna, and the clouds of glory. "And it came to pass after the death of Joshua" (Judges 1:1)—immediately the stakes of the earth were stirred up against them. "And it came to pass after the death of Saul" (II Samuel 1:1)—immediately "and the Philistines fought against Israel." The colleagues raised an objection to Rabbi Simon: but is it not written, "And after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and bowed down to the king"? Rabbi Tanchum said: Rabbi Simon only came to speak of "And it came to pass after" [the exact phrase, not merely "after"]. Rabbi Yudan said: were it not that the Holy One, blessed be He, set up others in their place, the world would already have turned backward. It is written "And it came to pass after the death of Abraham," and it is written "And Isaac returned and dug the wells of water." It is written "And it came to pass after the death of Moses," and it is written "And the LORD said to Joshua." "And it came to pass after the death of Joshua"—"And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first." "And it came to pass after the death of Saul," and it is written "And David returned from the slaughter of Amalek."